Don Osborn

[Bruce Long]

William J. Mann's book Tinseltown has raised my curiosity about what jobs Don Osborn did in Hollywood. Below is what I found thus far. (In industry credits, he was Don Osborne or Don F. Osborne.)

I think the first two items pertain to the film released as "A Western Adventurer". They shows Osborn as Production Manager, Casting, Assistant Director (column 4 of the 2nd item), and possibly cast (top item).

Production items for "Shell Shocked Sammy" show Horace B. Carpenter as director, the same director as "A Western Adventurer". But when the film was released, Carpenter's name had been removed from the credits and Frank S. Mattison was credited. Osborn was listed as Production Manager / Manager.

The Neva Gerber serial "Santa Fe Trail" shifted production to various studios, including the studio where Osborn was working as Manager.

From late 1923-1925, Osborn was in prison for his involvement in the blackmail of banker John Bushnell. After he got out of prison, he soon got a job from his friend Leo Maloney, who was building his own western studio in the San Bernardino Mountains. Osborn was Production Manager, and in the 1927 Year Book was listed as General Studio Manager and Location Chief. He was listed as Production Manager in the credits of Maloney films "The Devil's Twin" (1927) and "Yellow Contraband (released in Oct. 1928)."

If anyone happens upon any items indicating Osborn's involvement in any other pre-1923 films, or any films after 1928, please post the information here. Thanks!

[Bob Birchard]

Here are some pictures of Leo Maloney's Skyland Sudios in Crestline, California:
The Entrance:

Production offices:

Cast and Crew for THE LOSER'S END (1928), L-R (in back) Jack A Badaracco, Ford Beebe, Barney Furey, ?, ?, Josephine Hill, ? Leo Maloney, Bud Osborne, ? L-R (in front) ?, Wong Ti Set, Ben Corbett, Leonard Clapham [Tom London]

[Bruce Long]

Thanks Bob! The guy on the right of that photo in the center looks like it might be Osborn (he was 6'3").

[Bob Birchard]

You're probably right. The door on the left of the Production Office sign has Osborne's name on it.

[Bruce Long]

In Leo Maloney's s statement to Federal agents investigating the Osborn case, Maloney stated that he had known Osborn for about nine years and often attended drinking parties at his house. After Osborn got out of prison, his friendship for Maloney seems to have survived, since Maloney hired him to run his studio.

The official reports on the questioning of Leonard Clapham (Tom London) and Leo Maloney can be found at http://www.taylorology.com/official/bmail/lm.pdf.